by Yevgeny Krishtalyov exclusively for VK
Development of Azerbaijan, a state that has tripled its GDP in the last decade, inspired reconsideration of the strategy for development and stimulation, resulting in a new concept for further development. “Azerbaijan 2020: a look in the future” is what the concept for state development discussed by a wide range of public in Baku at the end of last week was named.
The main urge of the concept project is that the country concluded its transitional stage and is capable of a new breakthrough 20 years after achieving independence. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was the initiator of the document. In November 2011, he ordered formation of new principles the state would use for development in the upcoming decade.
It is notable that the order initiating formation of the “look in the future” included a point obliging a presentation of the concept before the end of 2012. The Presidential Administration accomplished the goal faster, allowing the public to have more time for discussions. Elnur Aslanov, head of the section for political analyses and information support of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration, said that the objective of the concept is to allow every citizen to determine priorities for further development of Azerbaijan and new instruments for their achievement.
“The point of democracy is so that every citizen could freely take part in managing the country, directly or indirectly. Another moment is that we need to be sensitive to the opinion and views of the young generation, because young people with higher education, professional skills meeting modern requirements are the guiding force of the information-oriented society based on knowledge set in the development concept”, the spokesman of the Presidential Administration emphasizes.
The concept project consists of 11 points concerning starting conditions, determination of challenges the country and the region face and the main further steps. They look as follows: “Current state”, “Global and local challenges”, “Azerbaiajan – 2020: the strategic view and basic priorities”, “Towards highly-competitive economy”, “Modernization of infrastructure of transport, transit and logistics. Balanced development of regions”, “Development of information and communication technologies and support of transit to the information-oriented society”, “Development of human potential and organization of efficient social protection system”, “Modernization of legislature and improvement of institutional potential”, “Development of civil society”, “Preservation and efficient management of cultural heritage”, “Protection of environment and ecological issues”.
The main philosophy of the concept was formulated by Ilham Aliyev in his speeches. At the opening of the petroleum conference in Baku in early June, the Azerbaijani leader said: “We set a goal: oil and gas are only a tool of economic diversification and we achieved it”. In other words, the idea of the concept is to turn “black gold” into human capital. Stress is put on innovations, new technologies and high-quality education for the young generation.
The new goal coincides with the modernization, the Russian vector of development. This is what cash earned from sales of oil and gas is spent on. Total eradication of poverty needs clear steps, consistency the new concept gives.
Aslanov reminds that Ilham Aliyev noted on numerous occasions that “we need to think about development of Azerbaijan 30-40 years ahead and prepare the basis today. Every step made today is long-term and aimed at building a happy future of Azerbaijan”.
The center of our concept stresses on the social factor, i.e. formation of infrastructure making the life of a man comfortable, allowing him/her to realize all his strives for self-realization.
One of the main targets of this goal is implementation of innovations, supplemented by transport and logistical systems, development of information and communication technologies (ICT). According to forecasts for 2020, ICT will have its share in Azerbaijani economy increase from 9.54% today to 25%, while the share of ICT in GDP will rise from 2.5% today to 10%.
Achievement of these goals will need $3.6 billion to be spent by 2020. Minister for Communication and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov said that a similar sum will be spent by private investors by 2020, making a total volume of over $7 billion.
Until 2020, every area of space industry in Azerbaijan, ground and wireless connection, digital government and combat of cyber crime will receive $1 billion. Half a billion dollars will be spent on formation of regional economic zones. About $100 million will be spent on development of digital television.
Innovations are only part of the strategy that concerns all aspects of social life, according to the points in the concept.
The look in the future until 2020 may be considered a project that needs large financial support, but a different attitude towards movement further as well. It seems that the Azerbaijani government is ready for such breakthrough, especially taking globalization and regional challenges into account. Public discussions would most likely contribute to the program, make it especially efficient an instrument for achievement of the said goals.
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